Controversial Whittier Boulevard Motel 6 to get more scrutiny from city council

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A Motel 6 is proposed for this site with vacant buildings at 14116-14130 Whittier Boulevard between California and Calmada avenues pictured May 3, 2017. Many community members are upset about the proposal, saying Whittier has too many hotels. (Photo by Leo Jarzomb, SGV Tribune/ SCNG)

The Whittier Planning Commission on a 3-1 vote early Tuesday morning approved a Motel 6. Shown is what it would look like.Courtesy Bakor Investments

The controversial plan to build a motel on Whittier Boulevard will get more scrutiny from city leaders next month, pleasing a group of local activists opposed to the project.

The planned Motel 6 was already approved by the city’s Planning Commission last week, but City Councilwoman Cathy Warner asked to review to proposal. The City Council will hold a hearing on the plan Sept. 26.

“I feel with the public interest in the matter, it was prudent to give the public an additional opportunity to give input on the project,” Warner said.

The developer, Bakor Investments, wants to build the two-story, 41-room Motel 6 at 14116-14130 Whittier Blvd., a half-acre site that housed the former Ritz Motel and a vacant commercial building.

The plan has drawn the wrath of many residents, including more than 1,700 who signed a petition opposing it. They say the street already has too many motels, and they’re worried this project will draw crime, drugs and prostitution.

George Giokaris, one of the many residents in opposition, praised Warner’s action.

“We strongly disagree with the decision of the Planning Commission,” said Giokaris, a former Whittier Union High School District school board member.

Giokaris also claimed the plan did not meet requirements set in the city’s official plan for Whittier Boulevard.

“The issues of compatibility, high quality, traffic and parking have not adequately addressed among many others,” Giokaris said.

Giokaris also believes an environmental study is needed, he said.

City officials have said an environmental review isn’t required because the project is on a vacant, under-used lot. That makes it “categorically exempt” from that process.

Mike Sprague started at the Whittier Daily News in April 1984. Since then, Sprague has covered every city in the Whittier Daily News circulation area, as well as political and water issues. Sprague received a bachelor's degree in communications and a master's degree in political science, both from Cal State Fullerton.